Propelling mechanism for aerodromes.



s. B. MOHENRL PROPELLING MECHANISM FOB. AERODROMES.

APPLICATION FILI-ID DBG. 7, 1909.

1,006,967, Patented 0011.24, 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH C0.,wAsHxNGTDN. D. c.

S. B. MCHENRY. PROPELLING MEGHANISM PoR ABRODROMBS. APPLICATION FILEDDBG. 7, 1909.

1,006,967, Patented 0011. 24, 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHBET 2. Fq/.a

COLUMBIA PLANQGR'APH co.. WASHINGTON, D. c.

s. B. MOHENRY. PROPELLING MBOHANISM POR AERODROMES. APPLICATION FILEDDBO. 7, 1909.

1,006,967, Patented Oct. 24, 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

COLUMBIA PLANOGHAPM CO.,WASH|NGTON. D, C.

SAMUEL B. MCI-IENRY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

IPROPELLINGJVIEGHANISM FOR AERODROMES.

Looaoev.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 24, 1911.

Application filed December 7, 1909. Serial No. 531,875.

To all 'whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, SAMUEL B. MOIVIENRY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and `State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Propelling Mechanism forAerodromes; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters-and gures ofreference marked thereon, which form a part of this specication.

vThis invention relates to aerodromes and has for its objectto providecertain new and useful improvements in propelling and guiding mechanism.y

A further object of this invention is to provide an aerodrome in whichthe same is caused to ascend and descend by alternating the direction ofthe propelling force and which is provided with vertical rudders at therear of the machine for the purpose of guiding the aerodrome laterally.

With these objects in view this invention consists in the novelconstruction of the propelling and guiding mechanism and in the novelconstruction for altering the direction of the propeller with relationto the main supporting plane of the aerodrome.

This invention also consists in certain other novel details ofconstruction and in combinations of parts all of which will be firstfully'described and afterward specifically pointed out in the appendedclaims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is an elevation partlyin section of an aerodrome constructed in accordance with my invention.Fig. 2 is a front elevation of 'the same. Fig. 8 is a topplan viewillustrating the mechanism, the supporting plane not being shown. F ig.4 is a longitudinal sectional view through the propelling mechanism.Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view of one sprocket wheel and part of thechain of the propelling mechanism. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view ofa portion of the propelling mechanism showing one of the propellerblades or scoops. Fig. 7 is a p erspective view of one of thepropellerblades or scoops. Fig. 8 is an elevation of one of the chainlinks Vto which the propeller scoops are pivoted. Fig. 9 is alongitudinal sectional view of a modied form of propelling mechanism,and Fig. 10 is a horizontal sectional view of the construction shown inFig..9.

Like numerals of reference indicate the same parts throughout theseveral figures in which- 1 indicates the main supporting plane which asshown in Fig. 1 is arranged on a slight forward incline, the said plane1 being curved as shown in Fig. 2.

2 indicates the main frames which enter longitudinal braces 3 in themain plane 1, said frames 2 being connected together by an upper strut 4and a lower strut 5, while at the' bottom of each of the frame pieces 2I arrange a wheel 6.

7 indicates the supporting wires which pass through the plane 1 to theframe pieces 2 for the purpose of bracing and strengthening thestructure.

Arranged transversely of the machine and supported in boxes 8 on thestruts 4 is a central shaft 9, said shaft being provided with a sprocketwheel 10 and carrying on each end cords 11 and 12, the cord 11 beingwound onthe shaft 9 in opposite direction to that of cord 12 for apurpose which will be hereinafter fully described.

13 indicates the driving shaft which as shown in the drawings is beltedby means of a belt 14 to the engine 15 which may be any suitable primemover of sufiicient power to drive the propelling mechanism.

16 indicates the propelling mechanism which, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5,comprises two sprocket wheels 17 and 18, the sprocket wheel 18 beingmounted on the driving shaft 13, it being of course understood that thepropelling mechanism which is now being described is duplicated on eachside of the machine as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Carried on the sprocketwheels 17 and 18 is a sprocket chain 19, which sprocket chain 19 isprovided at intervals with links 20 such as illustrated in Fig. 8, saidlinks 20 pivoting the propeller blades or scoops 21, said blades orscoops 21 being provided with pins 22 entering the perforations 23 inthe links 2O as clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Connecting each of thepropeller blades or scoops 21 to the chain 19 is a supporting strut 24,each of said struts being pivoted both to the chain 19 and to the bladesor scoops 21.

The rear sprocket wheel 18 being carried on the drive shaft 13 theentire propelling mechanism can swing on the shaft 13 as shown in dottedlines in Fig. 1. Above the endless propelling mechanism 16 is a thinlight strip of suitable material 25, and at the forward point a chamber26 is formed while a similar chamber 27 is formed at the rear, and llingthe space between the two sprocket wheels 17 and 1S and within thesprocket chain 19 is a chamber 2S, all of the chambers 26, 27 and 2Sbeing air tight and sufliciently large to have buoyancy enough to floatthe entire device in water.

As will appear from Fig. 7 each of the propelling blades or paddles'isrounded or curved in such manner as to have a better gripping action onthe air. Arranged in rear of the device, as shown in Fig. 1, and behindeach of the propelling mechanisms is a vertical rudder 29, each rudder29 being pivoted on a rudder stock 30 which passes up through the rearair chamber 27 and is provided with a lever 31. Connecting both levers31 at their rear ends is a connecting rod 32 to which connecting rod 32is connected an operating arm 33, said operating arm 33 passing througha large circular aper- ,ture 34 (Fig. 2) and extends forwardly a shortdistance. Connected to the forward end of said operating arm 34 are thetwo operating cords 35 and 36, the cord 35 passing to the right handside of the machine over pulleys 37, the end 38 of the cord beingconnected to a ring 39 for the purpose of ready manipulation of the cordby the aviator, the operating cord 36 passing to the left hand side ofthe'machine over pulleys 40, the end of which cord is connected to thering 41 for the purpose just described.

In Figs. 9 and 10 a modified form of propelling mechanism is shown inwhich the endless chain 19 is dispensed with and the paddles or blades42 are carried on the drive shaft 13. Air tight chambers or compartments43 are provided both in front and in the rear of the propeller as shownin Figs. 9 and 10.

Referring now more especially to Figs. 1 and 3 it will be seen that theplanes 25 have fixed thereto upon the lower side a rear plane 44 whichis arranged just above the vertical rudders 29 and which plane serves tosupport and steady the aerodrome.

Disposed in the lower horizontal strut 5 which braces the main verticalbraces 2 is a transverse shaft 45 upon which is carried an operatingwheel 46 and a sprocket wheel 47. 'A sprocket chain 48 .passes over thissprocket wheel 47 to a similar sprocket wheel 49 on the central shaft 9.

The cords 11 and 12 passing from the central shaft 9 are connected tostraps 50 carried on the propelling mechanism 16 as is shown in Figs. 1and 2.

Having thus fully described the several parts of this invention itsoperation is as follows: The propelling mechanism 16 on each side ofthemachine being pivoted on the drive shaft 13 the entire propellingmechanism and rudders can be thrown up or down as illustrated in dottedlines in Fig. 1. In order to accomplish this the operating wheel 46 onthe shaft 45 is rotated and through the medium of the sprocket chain 48t-he same rotation is imparted to the central shaft 9. This rotationcauses t-he cords 11 and 12 to be wound or unwound on the shaft 9according to the direction of the rotation of said shaft. In theposition shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 the rotation of the centralshaft 9 is such that it winds up the cord 12 and unwinds the cord 11.This causes the propelling mechanism and rudders to be inclined in theposition shown in dotted lines, while obviously if the direction ofrotation of the shaft 9 is reversed the propelling mechanism and rudderswill be thrown in a position oppositely or reverse to the position shownin dotted lines in Fig. 1. This control of the propelling mechanism andrudders has absolutely no eifect upon the propulsion of the aerodromefor the reason that the propeller chain and propeller blades or scoopsare-actuated in the same way no matter what the position of thepropelling mechanism and rudders is relatively to the main supportingplane 1. By means of this construction the aerodrome is caused to ascendor descend at the will of the aviator, and when it is desired to propelthe aerodrome in a straight line the propelling mechanism and ruddersare brought into position shown in full lines in Fig. 1 while theaerodrome can be causedto descend by throwing the propelling mechanisminto the opposite position. In order to guide or vsteer the aerodromelaterally the cords 35 and 36 are employed, and by this means the arm 33is caused to assume the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, whichthrows the rudders intothe positions shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3,while the rudders can be thrown into the opposite positions by operatingthe cord 35. By reason of the air tight compartments as before describedthe aeroplane will float should a descent be made on water, while thewheels 6 will allow the machine to bestarted over any smooth surfacesuch as a platform or field. By operating the propelling mechanism andthrowing same into position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 theaerodrome will be caused to ascend and will continue to ascend so longas the propelling mechanism and rudders are in this position; while thedescent is accomplished by operating thek propelling mechanism so thatit will be pointed downwardly instead of upwardly. By this constructiona rapidfascent or descent or a gradual ascent or descent can be effectedat will, and as will appear from the drawings the center of gravity ofthe aerodrome being considerably below the supporting plane l allpossibility of the aerodrome turning over is eliminated, and should thepropelling mechanism fail to work at any time the machine will settlegradually and descend without injury to the aviator or occupants of theaerodrome.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. An aerodromeincluding a supporting plane, lateral planes, a driving shaft mounted inthe frame work of the first referred to plane and having said lateralplanes pivoted thereon, said lateral planes having an inclined planefixed thereto at their rear ends, propelling mechanism, and adjustingmeans for said lateral planes with their rear inclined plane.

2. An aerodrome including a supporting plane, lateral planes, a drivingshaft mounted in the frame-work of the first referred to plane andhaving said lateral planes pivoted thereon, said lateral planes havingan inclined plane fixed thereto at their rear ends, a rudder pivotedunder said inclined plane and arranged in a corresponding inclinationtherewith, means for actuating said rudder, adjusting means for saidlateral planes, and propelling mechanism.

3. An aerodrome including a supporting plane, lateral planes, a drivingshaft mounted in the frame-work of the rst referred to plane and havingsaid lateral planes pivoted thereon, said lateral planes having aninclined plane fixed thereto at their rear ends, a rudder pivotallysupported in position and arranged in a corresponding inclination withsaid inclined plane, a propeller actuated from said shaft, means fortransmitting motion to said shaft and adjusting means for said lateralplanes, together with said inclined plane and meansV for actuating saidrudder.

4. An aerodrome including a supporting plane, lateral planes, a drivingshaft mounted in the frame-work of the rst referred to plane and havingsaid lateral planes pivoted thereon, said lateral planes having aninclined plane fixed thereto at their rear ends, a rudder pivotallysupported in position and having a corresponding inclination with saidinclined plane, means for adjusting said lateral planes together withsaid inclined plane, actuating means for said rudder, a propellerincluding transversely curved blade-members, means for actuating saiddriving shaft, said driving shaft transmitting motion to said propeller.

In testimony whereof, I afx my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

SAMUEL B. MCHENRY.

Witnesses:

G. L. ToALE, i B. E. WEST.

Copies of this patent may be obtained'for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

